Investigation of Inflammation Alleviation in an IBD Mouse Model Using the Butyrate-Producing Strain and Tributyrin

Abstract

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic condition characterized by intestinal inflammation and gut dysbiosis, with limited treatment options beyond immune-targeted therapies. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of BM107, a Bacillus subtilis strain, in combination with tributyrin (TB), a butyrate prodrug administered as a custom TB diet, in a DSS-induced mouse model of colitis. BM107, isolated from human fecal samples for its superior TB-degrading ability, was confirmed to be non-hemolytic and antibiotic-sensitive. The custom TB diet was developed to ensure consistent and effective delivery of TB, and the effects of BM107 and TB, both individually and in combination, were evaluated. Co-administration of BM107 and the TB diet significantly improved clinical outcomes, including reduced Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores, increased colon length, and restored body weight. The TB 107 group also exhibited a restored gut microbiome composition, with increased abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Mediterraneibacter butyricigenes, and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory taxa like Turicibacter bilis. Butyrate levels in the cecum content of the TB 107 group reached levels comparable to the healthy control group, highlighting the efficacy of the treatment in restoring gut homeostasis. These findings demonstrate that BM107, combined with the TB diet, represents a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for addressing gut dysbiosis and inflammation in IBD. This novel approach offers promise for the development of bacterial therapeutics to improve patient outcomes and support intestinal recovery.